عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Culture

Royal Commission for AlUla Announces Discovery of Over 200,000-Year-Old Hand Axe

RCU announced that the archeological excavation teams at the Qurh site in AlUla have found a hand axe dating back to the Paleolithic Age. SPA
RCU announced that the archeological excavation teams at the Qurh site in AlUla have found a hand axe dating back to the Paleolithic Age. SPA
TT
TT

Royal Commission for AlUla Announces Discovery of Over 200,000-Year-Old Hand Axe

RCU announced that the archeological excavation teams at the Qurh site in AlUla have found a hand axe dating back to the Paleolithic Age. SPA
RCU announced that the archeological excavation teams at the Qurh site in AlUla have found a hand axe dating back to the Paleolithic Age. SPA

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced that the archeological excavation teams at the Qurh site in AlUla Governorate have found a hand axe dating back to the Paleolithic Age, estimated to be more than 200,000 years old.
It is a strong tool, made of soft basalt stone 51.3 cm long, that could have been used for cutting or chopping. Studies are still conducted to identify the purpose of its use.
Qurh is one of the historical sites that have gained prominence in the early Islamic periods. It was one of the most important urban sites in the Arabian Peninsula, rich with secrets and historical and archeological treasures.
The ancient tool was discovered by a team of archeologists from the heritage consultancy TEOS Heritage, which is exploring the area around Qurh, south of AlUla, looking for evidence of man's existence in ancient times. The team has found several archeological discoveries dating back to the early Islamic period, but this new discovery, the hand axe, is considered to mark a new chapter in the history of humanity in and outside the Arabian Peninsula.
RCU is currently overseeing 11 other specialized archeological projects in AlUla and Khyber, all part of its efforts to discover the secrets of ancient times. The commission attaches great importance to archeological discoveries as part of its AlUla comprehensive development plan to become a world-leading destination for natural and cultural heritage.

Most Viewed

 
 
Culture

War-damaged Souks Reopen in Syria's Aleppo

People walk along an alley during the reopening of restored bazaars that were damaged during the Syrian conflict in the northern city of Aleppo © - / AFP
People walk along an alley during the reopening of restored bazaars that were damaged during the Syrian conflict in the northern city of Aleppo © - / AFP
TT
TT

War-damaged Souks Reopen in Syria's Aleppo

People walk along an alley during the reopening of restored bazaars that were damaged during the Syrian conflict in the northern city of Aleppo © - / AFP
People walk along an alley during the reopening of restored bazaars that were damaged during the Syrian conflict in the northern city of Aleppo © - / AFP

Four historic souks in northern Syria's Aleppo, heavily damaged during some of the most intense fighting of the 13-year civil war, reopened this week following their restoration.

"After I reopened my old shop, following the renovation of the market, I felt my spirit return with it," said merchant Omar al-Rawwas, 45, who inherited his family's carpet business at the revived Saqtiya 2 souk.

Once famous for its bustling markets and old citadel, Aleppo's Old City was rendered almost unrecognizable by some of the worst violence in Syria's conflict between government forces and opposition that began after mass protests in 2011.

The fighting in Aleppo, which lasted until 2016 when Damascus recaptured the area with Moscow's support, completely destroyed many of the famed markets in the city previously considered Syria's economic capital.

Four souks in the Old City, restored through combined public and private efforts, reopened Wednesday evening -- drawing officials, residents and charity representatives to the celebration.

"Thank God, things have improved and the country has gotten better," Rawwas told AFP, noting that some of his business is from people returning to Aleppo since calm returned.

"Today, expatriates return from abroad to their homes, finding their rugs damaged by moths. They have them repaired because some of these rugs hold personal memories and others have special value to them."

The revived strip of shops, some reduced to ashes at the start of the conflict, stretches for about 100 metres (330 feet) across the Old City.

In previous years, three other souks of the total of 37 that once surrounded the citadel were restored.

The Saqtiya 2 souk was relatively spared the damage that hit other markets, where restoration work is continuing, albeit slowly, due to the country's economic crisis.

According to UNESCO, as much as 60 percent of Aleppo's Old City was badly damaged in fighting, and of that 30 percent was completely destroyed.

The Syrian army recaptured eastern Aleppo from opposition groups after a siege and heavy bombardment that forced tens of thousands of civilians and fighters to flee.

"In 2012, we fled the souk under bombardment and gunfire. We didn't leave by choice but were forced to," said Abdallah Chawwa, 49, who sells Aleppo's famous olive oil soap.

"I am now back in my shop and my spirit has returned to me."